Turlock ‘Chills.’ High school changes decision regarding controversial musical
The show must go on, and so it will at Turlock High School, after a decision reversal will allow the musical “Be More Chill” to be presented to the public.
On April 9, the high school drama department’s production of the Broadway show was abruptly canceled. The musical, which was slated to run four nights, was shut down after one production due to “multiple concerns” from parents and community members, according to Turlock Unified School District spokeswoman Marie Russell.
In an announcement on Facebook on Wednesday night, the district said the decision to allow the musical to continue was made “following behind-the-scenes discussions and additional preparation.” Turlock High’s spring musical production of “Be More Chill” will have another run May 13 to 15 in the PA building on campus.
The district announcement also said, “Due to mature content/themes, children under 13 will not be permitted without a parent/guardian.”
In an email interview with The Modesto Bee about the decision to move forward with the production, Russell said district Superintendent Dana Salles Trevethan had been working on ways for the musical to go on while correcting the preparatory steps that had been missed originally.
“We are happy that these areas have now been addressed, the show will go on, and students will not miss out on this opportunity to perform, many in their final year at THS,” Russell wrote.
At the time of the cancellation, Russell said there had been “no discussion about the content between the director and site administration as was the agreed upon practice.” The sci-fi musical is about a high school student who takes a pill, “called a “Squip,” to become more popular. The Squip tells him how to act to appear cooler.
The show features teen characters and mentions sex, masturbation, drinking and smoking marijuana. There is also cursing. The original production had a notice that warned of “mature themes — parental guidance suggested.”
After the sudden cancellation, students and parents expressed their frustration at the decision. Students had prepared for months to put on the show, and were upset they could not showcase their work. And arts advocates, including the musical’s creator, Joe Iconis, and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Michael R. Jackson, also bemoaned the decision as knee-jerk censorship.
Russell said the “behind-the-scenes discussions and additional preparation” made by the site administrators after the initial cancellation included meeting with the show’s director to discuss the production’s selection. Other “key steps,” she wrote, included a parent meeting with student performers and clearer messaging on the musical’s content.
The decision to limit the show to those over the age of 13 unless accompanied by a parent or guardian was made, she wrote, “to ensure parental supervision for anyone outside the recommended age guidelines.”
Russell said since the initial controversy, the district has implemented a new review process policy for all future productions.
“Going forward, there will be an expectation that a formal review process occurs at the school site with the drama director and site administrator meeting to review the script, songs, etc and collaborating on any messaging that needs to occur for parents, performers, or audience members,” she wrote.
After the initial decision to stop the show, Dalton Howry, the student who plays the principal character, Jeremy, in the THS production, tweeted his thanks to Iconis for the playwright’s support and added, “I really hope one day we will be able to perform again and you could somehow see it.”
Looks like at least the first part of that wish will come true.
“Be More Chill” will have shows at 7 p.m. May 13, 3 p.m. May 14 and 7 p.m. May 15. Tickets go on sale Monday, May 2, at the PA Box office.
This story was originally published April 28, 2022 at 9:44 AM.
